FORA OKs 'formulaic approach' to developer fees

The fee proposal comes on the heels of a 2011 FORA review that resulted in a 27 percent reduction in developer fees, which took the per-unit cost of a new residence from $46,205 to $33,700.

The formula would earmark specific FORA revenues to cover operating expenses, building removal and California Environmental Quality Act mitigations, which include transportation improvements, habitat management, water augmentation and firefighting equipment.

Excess funds from land sales or leases, property taxes and grants would be exhausted for capital improvement projects, with developer contributions covering any cost overruns.

Supervisor Jane Parker, who cast a dissenting vote against approval along with Marina City Councilman David Brown, voiced reservations about the formula and criticized the board for rushing forward with it.

Supervisor Dave Potter, chairman of the FORA board, called for an immediate vote, contending that issues related to the fee reduction had been thoroughly discussed and that the public hearing on it had been closed at the board's Aug. 15 meeting.